Reappointment, promotion and tenure (RPT)
Under the Collective Agreement, reappointment, tenure and promotion are based on a member’s performance in relation to the applicable Faculty/Librarian Evaluation Policy and Unit Standards. Reappointment assesses performance to date and, for probationary members, progress toward meeting the expectations for tenure and promotion.
Tenure and promotion decisions consider the criteria set out in the applicable Collective Agreement articles (e.g., teaching, research, scholarly activity, service). Members should review the requirements and timelines that apply to their appointment and prepare their files in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures.
Key CA articles
The Collective Agreement establishes the overall requirements, rights, criteria, and procedures governing evaluation, reappointment, tenure, and promotion. Articles 25–33 establish the primary requirements and processes for reappointment, tenure, and promotion.
- Article 25: Evaluation of Members — General requirements and principles for evaluating members.
- Article 26: Review of Career Progress – formative feedback on career progress process
- Article 27: Reappointments — Requirements and processes for reappointment of Assistant Professors and Assistant Teaching Professors.
- Article 28: Tenure and Promotion — Research Stream — Requirements and processes for tenure and promotion of Research Stream Faculty Members.
- Article 29: Tenure and Promotion — Teaching Stream — Requirements and processes for tenure and promotion of Teaching Stream Faculty Members.
- Article 31: Stopping the Clock — Provisions for deferring reappointment, tenure, and promotion consideration.
- Article 32: ARPT Committees — Requirements for the composition and operation of Academic Review, Promotion and Tenure (ARPT) Committees.
- Article 33: Consideration Process — Timelines and procedures for reappointment, tenure, and promotion.
- Article 23: Probationary Status — Librarians — Requirements for removal of probationary status and confirmation of a regular appointment.
- Article 25: Evaluation of Members — General requirements and principles for evaluating members.
- Article 26: Review of Career Progress – formative feedback on career progress process
- Article 30: Promotion — Librarians — Requirements and processes for promotion of Librarians.
- Article 31: Stopping the Clock — Provisions for deferring reappointment, tenure, and promotion consideration.
- Article 33: Consideration Process — Timelines and procedures for reappointment, tenure, and promotion.
Faculty Evaluation Policies and Libraries Evaluation Policy
Faculty Evaluation Policies (FEPs) establish faculty-wide criteria and procedures for evaluating Faculty Members. FEPs are provided to faculty upon hire and can be requested from a Chair, Director or Dean.
The Libraries Evaluation Policy (LEP) establishes the corresponding framework for Librarians. The LEP is provided to librarians upon hire and can be requested from the University Librarian.
Unit Standards
Unit Standards establish expectations specific to a department or other academic unit, including expectations related to academic or professional responsibilities and career progression. Unit Standards are provided to faculty upon hire and can be requested from a Chair, Director, Dean, or University Librarian.
Members should review the applicable Collective Agreement article, FEP or LEP, and Unit Standards when preparing for reappointment, tenure, or promotion.
RPT for faculy and librarians
Research Stream Faculty Members are normally appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor for an initial term of three years with a workload distribution of 40% teaching, 40% research, and 20% service.
Reappointment
Reappointment is governed by Article 27 of the Collective Agreement and considers:
- Teaching effectiveness
- Research and scholarly achievements
- Service
Successful reappointment requires performance that meets or exceeds expectations and demonstrates reasonable progress toward tenure and promotion as outlined in Unit Standards, FEPs, and the CA.
Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor
Under Article 28, Faculty Members must be formally considered for tenure and promotion no later than their sixth year in rank.
Promotion to Associate Professor automatically confers tenure. A member must have a record of positive performance for a minimum of three years in their current rank at UVic.
Promotion to Professor
Promotion to Professor requires a record of positive performance for a minimum of three years in the current rank at UVic.
The member must demonstrate outstanding achievements, as defined in the applicable Unit Standards, in either Teaching or Research that have attained national or international recognition.
See: Article 27: Reappointments and Article 28: Tenure and Promotion (Research Stream)
Teaching Stream Faculty Members are normally appointed at the rank of Assistant Teaching Professor for an initial term of three years with a workload distribution of 70% teaching, 10% scholarly activity, and 20% service.
Reappointment
Reappointment is governed by Article 27 and considers:
- Teaching effectiveness
- Scholarly activity
- Service
Successful reappointment requires performance that meets or exceeds expectations and demonstrates reasonable progress toward tenure and promotion as outlined in Unit Standards, FEPs, and the CA.
Tenure and Promotion to Associate Teaching Professor
Under Article 29, Faculty Members must be formally considered for tenure and promotion no later than their sixth year in rank.
Promotion to Associate Teaching Professor automatically confers tenure. A member must have a record of positive performance for a minimum of three years in their current rank at UVic.
Promotion to Teaching Professor
Promotion to Teaching Professor requires a record of positive performance for a minimum of three years while at UVic.
The member must demonstrate outstanding achievements in Teaching or Scholarly Activity that have attained national or international recognition, or substantial leadership in the improvement of teaching.
See: Article 27 — Reappointments and Article 29 — Tenure and Promotion (Teaching Stream)
Probationary Status
Under Article 23, an initial Regular Librarian appointment normally includes a two-year probationary period.
Evaluations are conducted at 12 months and every six months thereafter. Successful completion of the probationary period results in removal of probationary status and confirmation of the Regular Appointment.
See: Article 23 — Probationary Status: Librarians
Promotion
Promotion under Article 30 is based on performance in relation to the applicable rank specifications.
Librarian II to Librarian III
A Librarian is eligible for promotion after completing at least five years of successful performance at the Librarian II rank.
Promotion requires evidence of full professional competence and expertise, together with regular and substantive involvement in scholarship, professional activities, and service.
Librarian III to Librarian IV
A Librarian is eligible for promotion after completing at least seven years of successful performance at the Librarian III rank.
Promotion requires a high level of professional expertise, a sustained record of excellent performance, and evidence of leadership, creativity, and independent senior-level work.
Preparing for reappointment, tenure or promotion
Preparation should begin at the time of your appointment to UVic. Speak with your Chair or Director to prepare a plan. Members preparing for reappointment, tenure, or promotion should:
- Review the applicable Collective Agreement article.
- Review their Faculty Evaluation Policy or Libraries Evaluation Policy.
- Review their Unit Standard.
- Confirm the applicable consideration year and submission deadlines.
- Prepare the documentation required under the applicable policies and procedures.
- Contact their Chair/Director or Dean's Office if they have questions about unit-level requirements or the preparation of their file.
The Article 33 consideration process establishes annual deadlines for notification, referee selection, file submission, committee recommendations, and university-level decisions.
RPT timeline
Members should consult Article 33 for the complete process and applicable requirements.
Stopping the clock
Article 31 provides for automatic and discretionary deferrals of reappointment, tenure and promotion consideration in specified circumstances.
Certain eligible leaves of 15 weeks or more result in an automatic one-year deferral. Longer eligible leaves may result in a longer deferral.
Members may also apply for a discretionary deferral where their responsibilities have been significantly affected by circumstances such as illness, injury, family responsibilities, unpaid leave, or other personal circumstances, as provided under the Collective Agreement.
Continuous learning
Effective April 7, 2026, course review requirements were removed from the Collective Agreement and replaced with a Continuous Learning Framework.
Faculty Members are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuous learning activities over a two-year period. Activities may include professional development, self-directed learning, curriculum or pedagogical development, course revisions, mentorship, and other activities that meet the requirements of the framework.
Continuous learning activities are reported through the Teaching Dossier.
For RPT files considered in 2026 and 2027, transition provisions allow members to submit course reviews, evidence of continuous learning activities, or both. The continuous learning requirement is prorated from April 7, 2026 to the date the file is submitted.
Resources and support
The 2025–2029 Collective Agreement is the authoritative source for the requirements and procedures governing reappointment, tenure, promotion and evaluation.
Faculty members should consult the applicable Faculty Evaluation Policy (FEP) and Unit Standard when preparing a Faculty evaluation or RPT file. Librarians should consult the Libraries Evaluation Policy (LEP) and applicable standards for Librarian evaluation and promotion.
Your Chair or Director is the primary contact for unit-specific requirements, Unit Standards, file preparation and referee nominations.
The Dean's Office or University Librarian can provide information about faculty- or library-level processes and requirements, including applicable deferral processes.
Faculty Relations provides administrative support related to academic appointments, evaluation, and implementation of the Collective Agreement: facultyrelations@uvic.ca.
The University of Victoria Faculty Association provides advice, representation, and support to members. You may wish to contact the Faculty Association when preparing for reappointment, tenure, or promotion or when seeking advice about your rights under the Collective Agreement.